Bye is over; resume worrying

OK, the bye week is over. The worrying about the Broncos can continue.

But that’s from outside of the organization. Inside the organization, the only way for the Broncos to break out of their funk is to believe they can do it.

There are 11 games remaining in what started as a promising season. Now, after three straight defeats, including two at home, the good feelings have dissipated and that’s understandable.
But the truth is, Denver is still very much in the mix in the AFC West. If the Broncos can figure things out beginning Sunday night against the dangerous visiting Pittsburgh Steelers, things can turn around in quickly.

Sure, the run defense is awful, as is the special teams, and the offense hasn’t been opportunistic, but the players have to believe it will turn around. If not, there is no chance.

It has gone beyond worry. As I stated just before the season started, this defense will not work. Getting rid of Warren was a huge mistake. Bates is way overrated as a “D” coordinator. And how do we miss Big Al. Our only hope is next year. This year is toast. Oh we might get lucky and win a few games and finish 8-8. Stop waisting money on tight ends if they are not named Gonzales or Gates. It may be nice to have a blocking tight end but Scheffler could be the next Shannon Sharpe. Rebuild the offensive and defensive lines. The offense does ok against average teams but get manhandled by good defensive lines. Way too many issues on defense. We definately need a mike lb and someone to replace sam adams. then how about a real defensive end. Then maybe we would not embarass ourselves. Chris Berman can run through the Broncs “d”. Another very disappointing season.

mark

It has gone beyond worry. As I stated just before the season started, this defense will not work. Getting rid of Warren was a huge mistake. Bates is way overrated as a “D” coordinator. And how do we miss Big Al. Our only hope is next year. This year is toast. Oh we might get lucky and win a few games and finish 8-8. Stop waisting money on tight ends if they are not named Gonzales or Gates. It may be nice to have a blocking tight end but Scheffler could be the next Shannon Sharpe. Rebuild the offensive and defensive lines. The offense does ok against average teams but get manhandled by good defensive lines. Way too many issues on defense. We definately need a mike lb and someone to replace sam adams. then how about a real defensive end. Then maybe we would not embarass ourselves. Chris Berman can run through the Broncs “d”. Another very disappointing season.

Evan

If you happen to watch the Dallas vs NE game. Both 3-4 defense’s. Players flying to the ball. The DB’s are NOT making all the stops ten yards down the field. The offense does not know where the pressure is coming from. They do get pressure on the QB. And we have Bates and his rush 4 pick up 20 yards on the run play. Out with Bates and in with a good 3-4.

Evan

If you happen to watch the Dallas vs NE game. Both 3-4 defense’s. Players flying to the ball. The DB’s are NOT making all the stops ten yards down the field. The offense does not know where the pressure is coming from. They do get pressure on the QB. And we have Bates and his rush 4 pick up 20 yards on the run play. Out with Bates and in with a good 3-4.

sp

evan, replacing bates next year and going to a 3-4 coordinator would put the broncos in the same seat. new scheme to learn again, new players, new everything. what makes you think that would easy? or that they would be able to pick that up in a preseason? bates is not a bad d coach, his system is one of a kind and the team just has to learn it inside and out before they can apply it. take a look at green bay’s d this year. NOBODY seems to understand that al wilson CAN NOT play this year. it wasnt that they thought dj was better, al’s neck is so jacked up he’s not playing anywhere, what were they supposed to do, draft a rookie to replace al? dj is the best option, with any luck, al comes back next year and dj gets his favorite spot back. once everything starts clicking the bandwagon will slow down enough for all the nay sayers to hop back on. GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sp

evan, replacing bates next year and going to a 3-4 coordinator would put the broncos in the same seat. new scheme to learn again, new players, new everything. what makes you think that would easy? or that they would be able to pick that up in a preseason? bates is not a bad d coach, his system is one of a kind and the team just has to learn it inside and out before they can apply it. take a look at green bay’s d this year. NOBODY seems to understand that al wilson CAN NOT play this year. it wasnt that they thought dj was better, al’s neck is so jacked up he’s not playing anywhere, what were they supposed to do, draft a rookie to replace al? dj is the best option, with any luck, al comes back next year and dj gets his favorite spot back. once everything starts clicking the bandwagon will slow down enough for all the nay sayers to hop back on. GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

scotboy

This team is bad. Really bad. The offense is so vanilla and clearly can not open it up against good defenses. Though I will say, they have moments of greatness.

However, the defense is plain horrible. Why would we run a zone defense when we have bly and champ in the back field? That seems nuts!!! But even worse is the decision to not go after a Middle LB during the off season. THey knew Al was gone.

So last year Shanny wrote off the season and started a rookie QB. I am asking him to do the same again this year and FIRE Bates. What more can be lost?

scotboy

This team is bad. Really bad. The offense is so vanilla and clearly can not open it up against good defenses. Though I will say, they have moments of greatness.

However, the defense is plain horrible. Why would we run a zone defense when we have bly and champ in the back field? That seems nuts!!! But even worse is the decision to not go after a Middle LB during the off season. THey knew Al was gone.

So last year Shanny wrote off the season and started a rookie QB. I am asking him to do the same again this year and FIRE Bates. What more can be lost?

sp

the offense is vanilla to compensate for a struggling d, if you cant stop the run, the other team eats the clock, and gives the denvers offense limited possesions. now im sure your thinking with limited possesions, thats when they need to open up, but when you know you cant stop the run, you know your playing keep up the whole game. the last resort is to have your offense try to stretch the feild eat as much time as they can to get the defense some wind, scoring a touch down becomes second priority. as for the defense(read above;previous comment)

sp

the offense is vanilla to compensate for a struggling d, if you cant stop the run, the other team eats the clock, and gives the denvers offense limited possesions. now im sure your thinking with limited possesions, thats when they need to open up, but when you know you cant stop the run, you know your playing keep up the whole game. the last resort is to have your offense try to stretch the feild eat as much time as they can to get the defense some wind, scoring a touch down becomes second priority. as for the defense(read above;previous comment)

dave

the offense has injuries, backups in, lack of playing time together issues to deal with, they’ll be fine in time. ton of talent. the joke is the D. we can’t stop anyone with one-on-one tackling in the front 7. most teams can’t. if 1 guy misses, it’s a huge gain. it mystifies me that we are playing soft, back, conservative, whatever, in the secondary, and then they have to save the touchdown because 1 guy missed/was blocked! am i missing something here?

dave

the offense has injuries, backups in, lack of playing time together issues to deal with, they’ll be fine in time. ton of talent. the joke is the D. we can’t stop anyone with one-on-one tackling in the front 7. most teams can’t. if 1 guy misses, it’s a huge gain. it mystifies me that we are playing soft, back, conservative, whatever, in the secondary, and then they have to save the touchdown because 1 guy missed/was blocked! am i missing something here?

TonyPSFL

There’s nothing to worry about as it shouldn’t be too difficult to TANK the rest of season for the quality draft picks. Three, four wins tops will get them a top five pick in the first round. Mail in the scores for the rest of the year and get the good picks to go along with this years’ quality draft. Then, next year, you can begin to contend instead of continue to pretend.

TonyPSFL

There’s nothing to worry about as it shouldn’t be too difficult to TANK the rest of season for the quality draft picks. Three, four wins tops will get them a top five pick in the first round. Mail in the scores for the rest of the year and get the good picks to go along with this years’ quality draft. Then, next year, you can begin to contend instead of continue to pretend.

Evan

They should have gone with a 3-4 when they went with Bates. With the db’s they have it is a better defense. Bates is lost so are his players.

Evan

They should have gone with a 3-4 when they went with Bates. With the db’s they have it is a better defense. Bates is lost so are his players.

HallFan

As someone who watched Andre Hall in College for 2 years this kid is the real deal. He was the offense for USF and every team was keying on him and he still managed to get his yardage. His talents are being wasted as 3rd string back, if the Bronco’s really want to give the offense a boost when Henry is resting, then put Hall in and I guarantee you, you won’t be disappointed.

HallFan

As someone who watched Andre Hall in College for 2 years this kid is the real deal. He was the offense for USF and every team was keying on him and he still managed to get his yardage. His talents are being wasted as 3rd string back, if the Bronco’s really want to give the offense a boost when Henry is resting, then put Hall in and I guarantee you, you won’t be disappointed.

The Gambler

Once again I’m astonished at the betting line. Steelers by only 2? Folks, there is money to be made here. I posted two weeks ago how it continues to baffle me the respect oddsmakers give to The Broncos. Either they drink the Shanny-aide, or they still believe the hype about Mile High magic and altitude advantage. They had the Broncos listed as one point favorites, and I thought it should have been closer to Broncs +9. I was not fooled by SD’s record and could read between the lines with their early schedule. Turns out 38 was the final tally. I’m not here to beat a dead Bronco, but I would set the line at Pitt -9. No champ, no run defense and zero imagination on offense. Wow, Broncos +1? who says there is no such thing as a sure thing.

The Gambler

Once again I’m astonished at the betting line. Steelers by only 2? Folks, there is money to be made here. I posted two weeks ago how it continues to baffle me the respect oddsmakers give to The Broncos. Either they drink the Shanny-aide, or they still believe the hype about Mile High magic and altitude advantage. They had the Broncos listed as one point favorites, and I thought it should have been closer to Broncs +9. I was not fooled by SD’s record and could read between the lines with their early schedule. Turns out 38 was the final tally. I’m not here to beat a dead Bronco, but I would set the line at Pitt -9. No champ, no run defense and zero imagination on offense. Wow, Broncos +1? who says there is no such thing as a sure thing.

Evan

The oddsmakers are betting on the side that Bates misses the game.

Evan

The oddsmakers are betting on the side that Bates misses the game.

KG

If they want to even have a prayer at remaining competitive this season, they’ve got to overload the box more, focus on the run w/the front line and LB’s, and let the DB’s make some plays. By letting every RB in the league run all over them, they are in serious jeopardy of getting Champ Bailey and Dre Bly seriously injured. As great of a tackler as Champ is, tackling isn’t his primary job and having to stop 230+ lb backs 7 times a game is going to land him on the IR in no time — the guy is going to get hurt — then what will they do?

KG

If they want to even have a prayer at remaining competitive this season, they’ve got to overload the box more, focus on the run w/the front line and LB’s, and let the DB’s make some plays. By letting every RB in the league run all over them, they are in serious jeopardy of getting Champ Bailey and Dre Bly seriously injured. As great of a tackler as Champ is, tackling isn’t his primary job and having to stop 230+ lb backs 7 times a game is going to land him on the IR in no time — the guy is going to get hurt — then what will they do?

Camillo

We know the Broncos have a number of issues that need to be addressed, however I don’t think the defense deserves the criticism it has been getting. It takes time to develop and execute Bates’ schemes, look no further than the Packers where one year after they introduced Bates’ defense ended up with a top ranked defense this year….One more thing, and this goes out to Sahnny, can we please stop kicking field goals and settling for 3? Have faith in your QB AND GO FOR IT…WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOOSE THAT YOU HAVEN’T LOST ALLREADY?

Camillo

We know the Broncos have a number of issues that need to be addressed, however I don’t think the defense deserves the criticism it has been getting. It takes time to develop and execute Bates’ schemes, look no further than the Packers where one year after they introduced Bates’ defense ended up with a top ranked defense this year….One more thing, and this goes out to Sahnny, can we please stop kicking field goals and settling for 3? Have faith in your QB AND GO FOR IT…WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOOSE THAT YOU HAVEN’T LOST ALLREADY?

John in Houston

I admit the Defense needs a lot of work. There have been other teams in the NFL with awful defenses who still scored in the 30’s.J Cutler needs to shoulder some of the blame. Last year you all ran Plummer out of town with a 17 PPG average, this year with a so called “better” QB out ppg average is even lower. Explain to me how Dan Fouts still put up all those points even though his defense gae up almost as many or more. Everyone blamed Plummer, but now with a new QB we are in worse shape, explain that? I would rather be 4-1 with Plummer than 2-3 wtih Cutler. At least Plummer could win games, it may not have been pretty but still 17 ppg is better than 15 ppg. Better so called talent and worse results….someone explain that to me……its tough having to wear a bag over your head here in Houston..being a Bronco fan is really tough this year.

John in Houston

I admit the Defense needs a lot of work. There have been other teams in the NFL with awful defenses who still scored in the 30’s.J Cutler needs to shoulder some of the blame. Last year you all ran Plummer out of town with a 17 PPG average, this year with a so called “better” QB out ppg average is even lower. Explain to me how Dan Fouts still put up all those points even though his defense gae up almost as many or more. Everyone blamed Plummer, but now with a new QB we are in worse shape, explain that? I would rather be 4-1 with Plummer than 2-3 wtih Cutler. At least Plummer could win games, it may not have been pretty but still 17 ppg is better than 15 ppg. Better so called talent and worse results….someone explain that to me……its tough having to wear a bag over your head here in Houston..being a Bronco fan is really tough this year.

C. Truitt

The offense scores so few points is because they have so little time on the field. I think the production would improve if they had a few more opportunities to put on a drive.

So what if the defense is new and difficult to learn, the line is being spanked on almost every play. None of them seem to be able to hold their turf, the play gets into the secondary and Bailey and Bly end up doing what the line should have been able to do in the first place.

Will it be better next year when Bailey is out for a year or forever because of a blown knee he should never have had in the first place? Shanny should have stayed with a refurbished defense from last year. It was good until the offense made them spend all their time on the field like the defense is doing to the offense this year. Master Bates has to go!

I’m afraid it will get uglier as the season wears on.

C. Truitt

The offense scores so few points is because they have so little time on the field. I think the production would improve if they had a few more opportunities to put on a drive.

So what if the defense is new and difficult to learn, the line is being spanked on almost every play. None of them seem to be able to hold their turf, the play gets into the secondary and Bailey and Bly end up doing what the line should have been able to do in the first place.

Will it be better next year when Bailey is out for a year or forever because of a blown knee he should never have had in the first place? Shanny should have stayed with a refurbished defense from last year. It was good until the offense made them spend all their time on the field like the defense is doing to the offense this year. Master Bates has to go!

I’m afraid it will get uglier as the season wears on.

Steeleagle

The Broncos may turn it around however, don’t count on it happening Sunday night! Even if they were playing up to preseason expetitation, they are in for a physical beatdown!

Steeleagle

The Broncos may turn it around however, don’t count on it happening Sunday night! Even if they were playing up to preseason expetitation, they are in for a physical beatdown!

Nicki Jhabvala is a Broncos beat writer for The Denver Post. She was previously the digital news editor for sports. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor. She also spent two years as a home page editor at the New York Times.